Tubes

I own hundreds of vintage tubes.  It is a game of 30 to 50 percent rejects when you take into account testing and real world performance.  Just because a tube tests at 100% does not mean it will perform well.  Heaters may draw to much.  The tube may be extremely microphonic.  A quote from Tung Sol is the best way to test a tube is in the system for which it is intended.  If new tubes from EH and others are available you are best to go that route with The Tube Store, Tube Depot, or Antique Tube Supply.

Viva is generally priced somewhat lower than many other tube suppliers, ships fast, and has lots of NOS tubes available.

We have PSvane KT88 MK II in our 40 watt tube amp. After about 50 hr break in they sound sweet and full, better than the 6550 EH tubes.

I don’t understand the paranoia about eBay. There are many, many dealers of tubes who’ve thousands of feedback on eBay. I buy there exclusively because tubes are generally much less expensive than other dealers. I recently acquired new Gold Lion KT88, Tung Sol 6550’s, a set of brand new NOS original Sovtek Winged C EL34’s from a dealer in Britain, and the best Grey Psvane CV181’s from the New York eBay dealer who sells nearly every type of tube. I’ve never once had a negative experience with eBay dealers. Simply do your due diligence and purchase from reputable sellers.